Dropped to 5 cylinders

[matt_shover]

Symptoms: car is running extremely rough and down on power. Sounds like I'm down to 5 cylinders.

Pulled the plug wires and the coils -- everything *looks* normal. Anything else I can do to diagnose this myself?

I drove the car for about a mile before I was able to make it back home -- how bad is this on the engine?

Thanks all for any help!

-Matt
Redwood Shores, CA

 

[bayareansx1999]

Originally posted by matt_shover:

Symptoms: car is running extremely rough and down on power. Sounds like I'm down to 5 cylinders.

Pulled the plug wires and the coils -- everything *looks* normal. Anything else I can do to diagnose this myself?

I drove the car for about a mile before I was able to make it back home -- how bad is this on the engine?

Thanks all for any help!

-Matt
Redwood Shores, CA

check the spark plugs, the spark plug wires. if there is no problems with either, then pull the plugs out and run a compression check to see if you are loosing any compression....if that doesnt work then your best bet is to take it to the dealership and run a diagnostic

 

[snyper2727]

Same thing happened to me....First check the inpedance with a digital voltmeter where the voltage input is located on each coil. Not on the spark plug side. It should read 1.0-1.1 ohms, I believe. If they all read within spec, then it is most likely your igniter. The igniter is a little box that sits on top of the intake manifold near the throttle body. I was told by Basch that USUALLY the igniter will either fire all cyls or none, but, in my case it quit firing only one of the coils. The igniter replacement from ACURA is about $200. Unfortunately for me, I have the Comptech supercharger, and the igniter box is located partly UNDERNEATH the supercharger. I had to remove my supercharger to get to it. Took me about 3 hours. It should be a snap for you if you are stock. This is all assuming your spark plugs are in good condition. There is not way to tell a coil is good by *look*ing at it, same goes for the igniter box, it is sealed and non-serviceable Good luck.

 

[I Grok NSX]

Hey Matt,

Mine started doing that last weekend. I found that if I "got on it" to about 6K rpm, the problem disappeared, but then would reappear after a short while. I'm hoping that one of the spark plugs has come loose when I adjusted the valves awhile ago.

I check each of the coils and resistance was 1 ohm. I'll re-check each coil too. I'll let you know what I find, if any thing.

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1994 Green-black roof/tan, 5 speed
Do you know of another Green-Black roof NSX?? Please email me if you do.

 

[matt_shover]

When it rains it pours... car got towed a few minutes ago for being in a "visitor" spot in front of my condo. Just called the guy -- $265! Argh.

Am I safe to drive it back on 5 cylinders? It's about 7 miles back.

BTW, thanks to all those who have responded!

Regards,

-Matt
Redwood *&#@ Shores, CA

 

[bayareansx1999]

Originally posted by matt_shover:

When it rains it pours... car got towed a few minutes ago for being in a "visitor" spot in front of my condo. Just called the guy -- $265! Argh.

Am I safe to drive it back on 5 cylinders? It's about 7 miles back.

BTW, thanks to all those who have responded!

Regards,

-Matt
Redwood *&#@ Shores, CA

dam that sucks...i dont think its a good idea to run on my cylinders.. you should definitely get that checked right away...

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I don't think it will cause any damaged if you drive it with 5 cylinder. Only less power, cause one of them is not firing. Everything else should remain the same.

Did your check engine light comes on? Most likely is coil. Sometime water get in there from washing or rain and get it rusted.

 

[sjs]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
I don't think it will cause any damaged if you drive it with 5 cylinder. Only less power, cause one of them is not firing. Everything else should remain the same.

If the injector is still firing but the plug is not then it seems likely that you are risking considerable ring & cylinder wear. I would not drive it or run it at all except to diagnose, which should be simple enough for any decent tech at least to the point of identifying whether it is a lack of spark, fuel, or compression. Those plus timing are all you need for combustion.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Originally posted by sjs:

If the injector is still firing but the plug is not then it seems likely that you are risking considerable ring & cylinder wear. I would not drive it or run it at all except to diagnose, which should be simple enough for any decent tech at least to the point of identifying whether it is a lack of spark, fuel, or compression. Those plus timing are all you need for combustion.

Very good advice. DON'T drive if you don't have to. More damage WILL happen.


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92 RED/BLACK 5-SPEED

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Originally posted by matt_shover:

Symptoms: car is running extremely rough and down on power. Sounds like I'm down to 5 cylinders.

Pulled the plug wires and the coils -- everything *looks* normal. Anything else I can do to diagnose this myself?

I drove the car for about a mile before I was able to make it back home -- how bad is this on the engine?

Thanks all for any help!

-Matt
Redwood Shores, CA

That is strange. My NSX doesn't have plug wires! It is called coil on plug design which eliminates wires.

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92 RED/BLACK 5-SPEED

 

[snyper2727]

Hehe, about the wires....in regards to driving on 5 cyls, your catalytic(sp?) converter will most likely turn into a red hot oven as well, due to the unburned fuel. I totally agree about damage to the cylinder as well, due to the unburned fuel. I believe it is called cylinder wash. Bad, bad thing. Happened to me on a different car under HEAVY boost, and LARGE amounts of fuel being injected.

 

[I Grok NSX]

I think I found the problem = operator error in my case (I think). I removed all the coil packs and in the process, noticed that the connector on one coil came off without me pressing the clip. I removed all the coils and plugs and did a through inspection of every thing.

All looked well and the coils measured in at .9 to 1 ohm. I put every thing back together and fired it up. After a 30 minute cruise, there was no indication of any problem. I'm hoping the loose coil connector was the problem. I'll keep you informed if the problem returns.

------------------
1994 Green-black roof/tan, 5 speed
Do you know of another Green-Black roof NSX?? Please email me if you do.

 

[bayareansx1999]

Originally posted by Litesokneecough:
I think I found the problem = operator error in my case (I think). I removed all the coil packs and in the process, noticed that the connector on one coil came off without me pressing the clip. I removed all the coils and plugs and did a through inspection of every thing.

All looked well and the coils measured in at .9 to 1 ohm. I put every thing back together and fired it up. After a 30 minute cruise, there was no indication of any problem. I'm hoping the loose coil connector was the problem. I'll keep you informed if the problem returns.

that could very well be the problem.

 

[4AU4LIFE]

Glad to hear that you have found the problem. I wish it were that easy for myself.

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92 RED/BLACK 5-SPEED